The next time a system like Superstorm Sandy threatens a coastline, a hurricane warning will be posted.

That’s because the National Hurricane Center has altered the definition of a hurricane warning, now allowing one to be issued even if a system is expected to hit as a tropical, subtropical or post-tropical system – but still could produce hurricane conditions.

Because Sandy was forecast to transition into a post-tropical system just before striking New Jersey in October, the hurricane center did not post a hurricane warning, relying instead on local warnings already in place.

The problem was that even though its core unraveled before landfall, Sandy struck with hurricane conditions, including a devastating storm surge.

That prompted some to criticize the hurricane center, mainly Bryan Norcross, a former South Florida weathercaster and now tropical expert for The Weather Channel.

Hurricane warnings still will be posted when hurricane conditions are expected to hit a certain area within 36 hours.